The parents of the Massillon man accused of shooting at police Aug. 9 testified Wednesday afternoon that officers did not identify themselves before entering their son's residence that morning.

More testimony also was heard Wednesday from prosecution witnesses on day two of Steven P. Bubenchik's trial. The 40-year-old is accused of firing 13 shots at police who went to his home in response to a call for a welfare check. Officers took cover and no one was injured. Police did not fire any shots in return.

The defense said Tuesday before Judge Taryn Heath in Stark County Common Pleas Court that Bubenchik was asleep when Massillon police and family members came to his home to make sure he was OK. Defense contends that a police officer did not announce he was making entry through an unlocked window.

PROSECUTION WITNESSES

The jury heard from Bubenchik's wife, who lives in Canton and has filed for divorce. Toni Bubenchik first called police Aug. 8 after receiving numerous distraught voice messages and texts from her estranged husband. She testified that she asked police to check on him at his Geiger Avenue SW home because she was concerned he was going to hurt himself.

Officer Fred Alexander was the fifth police officer to be called to the stand over the two days to describe the events of that night.

Alexander testified that he was familiar with the defendant's name when the welfare check call first came in from dispatch. Steven Bubenchik had been questioned earlier that day at the police station by Det. Bobby Grizzard for a separate ongoing investigation.

Alexander joined Sgt. Kenneth Smith and Officer Thomas Rogers to attempt to make contact with Bubenchik, along with Officer Miguel Riccio, Alexander said on the witness stand. A police dispatcher also contacted Bubenchik's parents who arrived at the police station and had followed police to their son's house.

After pounding on the door and yelling Bubenchik's name with no response, the parents recommended the police leave so they could contact him on their own. Officers left for several minutes and then returned. With two vehicles in the driveway, the parents thought their son Ted also was in the residence and they were concerned about both sons, Alexander said.

He said Bubenchik's parents gave the go ahead for officers to enter the house, and Riccio opened an unlocked front window and announced his presence as he was making his way through the opening. Riccio let other officers in through the front door.

That's when the Bubenchik began shooting. The four officers quickly left the residence and Bubenchik continued to fire even after his brother Ted left the house.

"It was my belief he wanted to take my life, if not the lives of all four of us," Alexander said.

Page 2 of 2 - Throughout the trial at times Tuesday and Wednesday, Bubenchik wiped tears and once bowed his head and cried as he listened to testimony.

Assistant Stark County Prosecutor Chryssa Hartnett also called Det. Bobby Grizzard to the witness stand. He was at the scene Aug. 9 before Canton SWAT arrived and Bubenchik ultimately surrendered. He described photos Hartnett showed on the projector of each of the bullet holes that went through police cruisers and neighbor's homes. One of the bullets shattered the window of a police cruiser driven by Officer David McConnell and a bullet hit the passenger seat by the head rest.

DEFENSE TESTIMONY

Attorney Barry Wakser called Steven Bubenchik Sr. and then his wife, Marsha Bubenchik, the defendant's stepmother, to the stand as his first two witnesses. Steven Bubenchik Sr. testified that police officers did not have their lights or sirens activated Aug. 9 on Geiger Avenue SW. They did not consult him before entering his son's house, and they did not announce they were police when they climbed through a window.

Bubenchik is charged with three felony counts of attempted murder. Each count carries a firearm and repeat violent offender specification. He also faces three counts of felonious assault, also carrying firearm and repeat violent offender specifications.